The latest traffic, travel, weather, crime and breaking news updates from The Chronicle, covering Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland and Durham for Tuesday, 19 August 2014

The Chronicle's live breaking news blog brings you regular updates, pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Newcastle and North East traffic, travel, weather, crime and council news for Tuesday, 19 August 2014.

You can contribute to the live blog by posting your comment below, and you can also tweet us @EveningChron to share breaking news stories, pictures and opinions.

Our Newcastle breaking news live blog begins at 06:30am every weekday and is updated throughout the day until 10.00pm.

10.00

Michael Marsh

Hello everybody!

Sorry for the delay in getting our live blog started this morning. Our system has just decided to wake up after some technical difficulties (maybe it's because it was a bit colder this morning...)

Stay tuned for the latest news, travel and more.

10.05

Michael Marsh

PAPERS: Let's start with taking a look at today's Chronicle...

The front page carries a story of a horrific dog attack at a Gateshead park.

His disappearance is being treated as a murder investigation but his body has not yet been located.

Detectives are still probing the mystery and have renewed their appeal on behalf of Robert’s “devastated” family in a bid to find him.

Crimestoppers is also offering a £3,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible.

Anybody with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

11.05

Michael Marsh

TRAVEL: Confirmation that Bevan Avenue in Ryhope is closed due to a gas leak.

It is near to the old Top House pub.

11.10

Michael Marsh

NEWS: A schoolgirl's poem has prompted her gran to give up smoking.

Bethany Carver, 10, was so concerned that ‘nana’ Julie Erskine’s health was being damaged by smoking that the youngster wrote a poem which persuaded her gran to try to quit the addiction for good.

11.23

Michael Marsh

NEWS: Four teenagers - including two 14-year-olds - have been arrested after a man was beaten up by a gang in Newcastle.

The 42-year-old victim was attacked by a group of youths in Royal Crescent, Fenham and needed stitches to his head.

The incident happened at 8.45pm on Sunday, August 17 after a confrontation in the street.

Officers probing the attack believe the confrontation is linked to a burglary which took place at an address in Royal Crescent on Thursday, August 14.

Police arrested four males and said those involved are known to each other.

A 17-year-old male was arrested for affray, a 15-year-old on suspicion of GBH, a 14-year-old for a racially aggravated public order offence and another 14-year-old on suspicion of burglary in connection with the incidents.

The 14-year-old has been charged with burglary and the other three have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Acting DI Michelle Robson said: “We’re trying to establish exactly what has happened and when and the background to these incidents, which has resulted in a man being assaulted.

“Four youths have been arrested and are helping with our enquiries, and we’re speaking to a number of witnesses to establish the circumstances.

“I understand incidents such as this cause concern but I’d like to reassure people a through investigation is taking place and extra patrols are in the area to gather information and speak to local people.”

11.26

Michael Marsh

TRAVEL: Good and bad news on the travel front for you now...

Silver Street in Durham has re-opened after an earlier incident where a lorry crashed into some scaffolding.

Bevan Avenue in Ryhope has also re-opened following a gas leak.

However, one lane is closed on the A19 at the Silverlink roundabout, just off the Coast Road. This is due to a broken down bus.

Traffic heading towards the Tyne Tunnel and Holystone is being affected.

11.34

Michael Marsh

Former Toon striker Andy Carroll has been keeping himself busy during his recovery from injury then I see...

NEWS: A 23-year-old man has been charged with the murder of two Newcastle University students in Borneo earlier this month.

Neil Dalton and Aidan Brunger, both 22, were on a placement at Sarawak General Hospital when they were stabbed to death.

Fishmonger Zulkipli Abdullah appeared in Kuching Magistrates' Court on Tuesday but entered no plea, according to local reports.

Four other men arrested with the accused have been released on bail.

12.31

Michael Marsh

NEWS: War medals belonging to an army veteran were stolen in a sickening burglary in Northumberland.

The World War Two medals were taken during a break-in at a home in Hallstile Bank, Hexham between Friday, August 8 and Friday, August 15.

They belonged to the victim’s late father, who served with the Royal Army Service Corp and was a Normandy veteran.

An investigation has been launched and DC John Daniels, Northumberland CID, said: “These stolen war medals are of sentimental value to the victim as they belonged to his late father.

“At a time when we are remembering war heroes during the centenary of the First World War it’s beyond belief that someone would steal something so precious.”

The medals include a 1939-45 star, an Africa star, an Italy star, a France and Germany star, a defence medal, a World War Two medal and a general service medal from 1918 onwards.

A platinum wedding ring and an engagement ring were also stolen.

DC Daniels added: “I’d appeal for anyone who knows of their whereabouts or who has information about the burglary to get in touch with us. We’re also keen to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area between August 8 and August 15 to contact police.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

12.58

Michael Marsh

TRAVEL: A broken down bus causing problems by the Silverlink retail park has been removed and traffic is returning to normal.

1.05

Michael Marsh

NEWS: Staff were threatened during a robbery at a Gateshead post office.

Yobs raided the store on Durham Road in Birtley at around 9.10am this morning, police say.

They threatened staff and made off with cash. No one was injured during the incident but staff were left shaken.

Three people have been arrested, two men - aged 32 and 26 - and a 24 year-old woman.

Officers are on patrol in the area to carry out enquiries and provide reassurance.

Anybody with information should contact police on 101.

1.53

Michael Marsh

WEATHER: Oh dear. Judging by the weather forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend, it looks like most of my time will be spent in front of football on the TV...

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